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Coyotes Sign Kurt Sauer To Four-year Contract

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed defenseman Kurt Sauer to a four-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are excited to add Kurt to our defensive corps,” said Maloney. “We see him as someone who can match up against top forwards and handle a lot of ice time.”

Sauer, 27, recorded 1-5-6 and 41 penalty minutes (PIM) in 54 regular season games with the Colorado Avalanche last season, tying his career-high for points. He finished second on the Avalanche with a +17 rating. Sauer also appeared in all 10 of Colorado’s playoff games last year, recording a goal and eight PIM. He also ranked fifth on the Avalanche in ice time per game (19:22) during the postseason.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Sauer began his career with Anaheim, recording 1-2-3 and 74 PIM in 80 games during his rookie season in 2002-03. He also appeared in all 21 games for the Ducks during their run to the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, recording 1-1-2 and six PIM.

In 288 career NHL games with Anaheim and Colorado, the St. Cloud, Minnesota native has collected 4-22-26 and 214 PIM. He has also registered 2-1-3 and 18 PIM in 43 career postseason games.

Sauer was originally drafted by Colorado in the third round (88th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft but signed as a free agent with Anaheim on June 6, 2002. He was traded back to Colorado with a fourth round pick in the 2005 Entry draft in exchange for Martin Skoula on Feb. 21, 2004.